Time to build a statue for Hoops legend McNeill

CHARLIE Nicholas has called on Celtic to erect a statue to club legend Billy McNeill.

Charlie Nicholas says its time for Celtic to build a statue to commemorate club legend Billy McNeil [WILLIE VASS ]

The club will hold a tribute dinner for their former manager and European Cup-winning captain, left, this weekend.

Express Sport columnist Nicholas believe the Hoops should go one step further and immortalise “Cesar” in the same way they have done Jock Stein, Jimmy Johnstone and founder Brother Walfrid, with a statue outside Celtic Park.

Nicholas said: “I feel Billy should have a statue of some kind at Celtic Park.

“I think it would be fitting at the front door.

“The one memory I have of Billy, as well as being my gaffer, is of him holding the European Cup aloft.

I feel Billy should have a statue of some kind at Celtic Park

Charlie Nicholas

“I think that image is a massive part of the fabric of Celtic FC, for a guy who played for, captained and managed the club.

“I just feel it would be a great gesture from the club and would also show a great deal of humility towards one of their greatest-ever servants.”

Nicholas reckons Celtic should take a leaf out of another of his former clubs, Arsenal, who have already honoured some of their more recent iconic figures.

He explained: “I have been to the Emirates Stadium a lot and all the current statues are there, from Tony Adams and Thierry Henry to Arsene Wenger, while Dennis Bergkamp’s one is currently being finished off.

“They do it when the people are relatively young and people remember them now and forever but Scottish clubs tend to wait until our icons have passed away.

“Billy’s not in the best of health, so why not do it now while he can appreciate it.

“The likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law have statues at Old Trafford and George Best had one when he was alive.

“Celtic put up Jimmy and Jock’s statues but that was after they had passed away.”